ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are often related to issues at school, work, or home. The psychiatric disorder isn't easy to identify and treat.
The psychiatric disorder is often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. Mental health professionals diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.
Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants can help.
Limbic ADD
The most common form of ADD, also known as classic ADD or hyperactive-impulsive ADD, is characterized by inattention, a lack of organizational skills, difficulty staying on task, and trouble with memory. Brain scans reveal that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia which produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. This type has a shorter attention span, and is easily distracted by noises or other stimuli and is unable to shift attention. They also have trouble sleeping and frequently wake up at night with anxiety or nightmares. They can be easily annoyed and are often angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is defined by all the standard ADD symptoms however, it also has a difficulty in shifting their attention from one thought to the next and shifting their focus from one task to the next. They are sensitive to light, noise, and touch and they talk too quickly and are easily impulsive and easily provoked into mean behaviors. They have periods of moodiness and low energy, are easily angered and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt.
Limbic ADD can be confused with depression, but it's distinct from depression because it has increased activity in the limbic part of the brain (the area that sets our emotional tone and controls the level of happiness or sadness we feel) and decreases activity in the prefrontal cortex at both when we are at rest and while in concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing irregularly or excessively.
It is important to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can result in frustration and irritability, as well as low self-esteem. The difference between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to have symptoms that come in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Over-focused ADD sufferers tend to get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worrying. They exhibit rigid behaviors similar to those of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is why it's frequently misdiagnosed. They can become angry when they are asked to shift their attention between tasks and can respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
These people are likely to have a short fuse, with their irritability coming from a chronic negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequent feelings of hopelessness and desperation. They may also experience difficulties learning, experience memory issues, or experience severe anger and aggression.
People with overfocused ADD are not flexible when it comes to changing tasks, and could be captivated by their work or interests. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home, and they may not finish their chores or schoolwork. They can also be very stubborn and resentful if they are reprimanded or chastised by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and they can throw temper tantrums if their interests aren't accepted. They may be obsessed with certain activities, toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
adhd adults treatment of ADD is more common in children and is often difficult to identify. These children often don't understand that their issue is caused by their inability to shift their attention between different things. This is why it's important to seek out help from a professional, as children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family physicians and even psychologists. This kind of ADD is usually treated with dietary changes, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this kind of ADD is difficult to treat with stimulant drugs, since they can boost a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to distinguish the seven distinct kinds of ADD and is especially useful for diagnosing hyperfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people suffering from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. Comorbidity, which is having more than one disorder simultaneously is a common problem and affects up to 50% of people suffering from ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Misdiagnosis may lead to inadequate treatment and anger.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school and social settings. This type of ADD may lead to low achievement and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxiety ADD tend to avoid difficult tasks and events because they believe they won't do well.
They are also afraid of being judged and being criticized. They also hide their issues from others. In some cases, these sufferers are so stressed and anxious that they develop panic attacks. These panic attacks can be serious and life-threatening. They can cause a pounding of the heart sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. Unlike Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis, and are able to prioritize safety. This can shut down PFC and makes it difficult for these individuals concentrate.
If someone with ADHD or ADD has anxiety the symptoms are typically more difficult to manage than those of a person who isn't suffering from anxiety. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain may actually increase anxiety in people who suffer from anxiety ADD by decreasing the activity in their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans in order to determine where in the brain more or less activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.
To determine if someone has ADD/ADHD psychiatrist gathers a complete medical history and performs an examination. Additionally, he or will ask questions about the patient's mood and behavior to evaluate the overall health of a patient. Sometimes, medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other therapies in addition, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as well as nutrition and exercise sleep strategies, desensitization, and other techniques to relax. This may increase their ability to manage their emotions and their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe within the brain which is responsible for memory and mood. This type of ADD is characterized by a difficulty in learning and keeping information in memory as well as mood instability and extreme anger or aggressive issues. They also are often affected by various sensory issues, like feeling like they have deja vu or seeing shadows or objects changing forms and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They are often sensitive and angry, and often become overstimulated by certain activities, such as computer screens or crowds.
This kind of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include short attention spans and disorganization. It also has difficulties staying focused or following instructions. However, this kind of ADD does not cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This kind of ADD is more common in females. People suffering from this kind of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which contributes to their feelings of low motivation and low self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this instance QEEG scans of the ADD brain reveal that individuals with over-focused ADD are having difficulty shifting gears. They show normal activity in the anterior cingulate region (the brain's "gearshifter"). They are unable to shift from one thought or task to the next, and they become stuck in negative thinking patterns and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where people are extremely motivated and productive but are unable to pay attention to important tasks. They may lose track of their schoolwork and parents or teachers are often tired or embarrassed by their behavior. They may have a hard relationship because they are unpredictable or reactive and have difficulty with multitasking or working with others. In certain situations, they could be depressed or anxious. They may be susceptible to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD as it doesn't tackle the root cause of the symptoms.